Home Remedy for Mosquitoes in the House

Mosquitoes are vectors for some of the world's worst diseases.

More than 3,000 different species of mosquitoes exist, some of which spread diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, malaria and dengue fever. You may not live in a place where these diseases are a problem, but the sheer nuisance of an active mosquito population in your home may feel just as dire. If you'd rather not call in the exterminator, it is possible to control mosquitoes naturally.

Things You'll Need

• Citronella plants
• Vinegar
• Electric fans

Instructions

Outside the House

1. Check under your house for standing water. Even a small leak in the pipes under your home may provide ample space for mosquitoes to live and breed. The protection of the indoor space provides enough warmth for the insects to overwinter.

2. Get rid of clutter, both inside and outside the house. Water-collecting objects such as cast-off tires, materials waiting to be recycled and children's toys are obvious culprits. Decorative ponds, birdbaths, fountains, disused boats, non-running vehicles and potted plants are all mosquito attractants.

3. Clean up the yard. Discard yard waste in the open spaces, gutters, ditches and streams both on and adjoining your property. These objects obstruct the natural flow of water in the micro-ecology of your property, giving mosquitoes the room and protection they need to live a long and healthy life.

4. Mow regularly during the summer; make sure that your property is well-trimmed. This lets water evaporate more efficiently, which means it is less able to collect. If there is a vacant lot adjacent to your property, report the problem to city or local services.

5. Check your septic system. Ensure that wastewater never appears on the surface, and that any and all cesspool vents are tightly sealed with fine screens.

Inside the House

1. Watch the doors and windows. Install fine screens on all windows; make it a family rule to keep doors closed at all times. Keep big, healthy citronella plants by all access doors. These plants chase mosquitoes away from common entry points.

2. Pour plenty of plain, white vinegar into all your sink drains; let them sit for at least 20 minutes before running any water. The vinegar kills any mosquito breeding points inside the drains. After the initial treatment, repeat the process once a week.

3. Inside the house, run a couple of house fans on high speed. Entomologists at Michigan State University discovered that fans disperse the carbon dioxide produced when you exhale. Carbon dioxide is a major mosquito attractant.

References

• Rutgers University: Mosquito Control In and Around the House
• NY Times: To Repel Mosquitoes, Use a House Fan
• National Geographic: Mosquitoes